







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| And he looks about 3 years old now. | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |
| No, actually, he is properly toilet trained. | |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | |
| It goes faster, but we don't want to walk to the tube station. | |
| That's why the rent is much lower than average. | |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| Erm, we don't have any, but there is someone else's bread. | |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | |